Last night was a good night. My oldest son emailed me and asked if he could come over after work. Of course he can! I hadn’t seen him since his graduation in early May, he hadn’t messaged me or responded to any of my messages, not even on his 18th birthday this month. He finally came over to get his birthday present and gift, and another graduation card I received in the mail over a month ago. So we just hung out and talked and caught up. He is getting ready for college orientation next month, and they are going to celebrate the Fourth with extended family in Missouri. It is so exciting for him as he prepares to leave for college!
I also tried to help him with an issue he has been having with his wrist for probably a year. He gets some pain and stiffness that comes and goes, and sometimes limits his range of motion and activities. He doesn’t remember having an injury, and there is no obvious abnormality. I suspect it is a ganglion cyst that gets inflamed and then calms down. One of my CRHP brothers is an upper extremity orthopedic surgeon, and I hope to get him to take a look and see what he thinks. I’m pretty sure it is nothing severe, but we need to figure it out. I’m really happy that he connected, came over, and is asking me for help. That’s what a dad is supposed to do, and I love them all so very much!
He has been working out consistently for the past year or two, mostly lifting weights now, but previously played soccer, swam, and competed in triathlons. It was awesome watching him in triathlons and soccer. As most younger men are (and many men of all ages), he is very proud of his max bench press, and he is challenging me. I have never been a heavy bench press person, nor a fan of maxing out. I already told him he can probably beat me. Even if he can’t right now, it won’t be long… I am so proud of him. Of all of my kids. I love being a dad, and I hope he and his siblings come around more and open up again.
